J Korean Fract Soc.  1995 Jan;8(1):116-125.

Treatment of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Children using Closed K-wire Fixation and Intraoperative Arthrogram

• Hwang CS
• Kim KC
• Chung PH
• Kang S
• Cha EN
• Kim YM
• An YU
• Park MH

Abstract

Lateral condylar fracture of humerus is the secondly most common elbow injury in childhood. Compared to the most common supracondylar fracture which is fracture of metaphysis around olecranon fossa, lateral condylar fracture is intraarticular, epiphyseal injury and easily displaced by extensor muscle pull. Therefore, lateral condylar fractures are reduced and fixed more frequently by open method than supracondylar fractures are. In spite of affording more accurate reduction, however, open treatment of fracture can be complicated by infection, avasular necrosis, disfiguring scars, etc. So, it is more desirable that accurate reduction and rigid fixation can be achieved by closed method. Sine July 1992, We manged 10 children with lateral condylar fractures of elbow using closed reduction, percutaneous K-wire fixation and intraoperative arthrogram for confirming the reduction status of articular margin. The fractures united and K-wires were removed within postop. 7 weeks(mean) in all cases. The patients were followed up for from 9 months to 2 years and 2 months postoperatively, revealed no great differences in carrying angle, range of motion and physical activity compared with contralateral elbow. Radiologic evaluation showed no definite complications except mild spur formation. Closed reduction and fixation followed by intraoperative arthrogram seemed tobe one of the useful method in the management of lateral humeral condylar fractures in children, especially in mildly displaced cases.

MeSH Terms

Child*
Cicatrix
Elbow
Humans
Humerus
Methods
Motor Activity
Necrosis
Olecranon Process
Range of Motion, Articular